The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 2, 1916. TRADE WITH JAPAN.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 August 1916, Page 4

The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 2, 1916. TRADE WITH JAPAN.

The ever-increasing productive power of Niw Zealand makes it necessary to be constantly 011 the watch for new markets where our exports can be sold to the best advantage. There have been spasmodic endeavors made from time to time in this direction, but in the general way it lias been left to private enterprise to find out and utilise any markets that seemed to offer profitable business. This, of course, is the true instinct of commerce, but in young countries like the Dominion it is not sufficient. What is wanted is organised effort having the backing, if not the initiative,

o: the State, iu order tliat tin: fiscal policy of tlie country may be directed towards fostering and encouraging the intcichangc of goods on soun ( dj economical principles. The Japanese are keenly alive to the advantage* to be derived from building up commercial relations with countries where mutual trading operations are likely to lead to satisfactory results, and they have sent forth three commissioners to investigate and report upon the possibility of extended trade relations between Japan and Australasia. They have taken this step at a most opportune moment, for they are well aware that the antiGerman trade movement has taken deep root, and aiTovds them an ideal opportunity for devoting their skill and resources to capturing as much of Germany's pre-war trade as lies within theii power. Japan is making vast commercial strides. Her most pressing need was opportunity for development, and now that is within her grasp. She is well aware that a one-sided policy would bar the door to her efforts, and therefore is prepared to take raw materials and convert them into manufactured goods. There is 110 nation that lias greater imitative faculties than Japan, Her people are exceedingly industrious, skilful, and artistic, and the workers can easily defeat the Germans with regard to the cost of production'. New Zealand is a producing country, and Japan a hive of industry, so that there appears to be ample scope for satisfactory business relations between ourselves and Japan, The exclusion of German and other enemy goods will create a gap that Japan can largely fill. Her commissioners are making it quite clear that there is no ulterior design of entering into commercial competition with either Australia or Mew Zealand. The time lias arrived when it is not only politic, but necessary, tq recognise Japan as one of the Great Powers, and to obliterate once and for all time that absurd idea as to what is known as the yellow peril. Japan has proved a staunch and invaluable ally in the direst crisis that the Kmpire lias had to face, just as Germany has proved the most repulsive affliction ever experienced by the universe. Jf sentiment played any part in business affairs, we should welcome with open arms Japan's overtures for interchange of trade. There is, however, 110 occasion for sentiment to be considered. ]l Japan is able to supply commodities that New Zealand requires, and is prepared to take a fair share of our produce in exchange, the only other questions are quality and price. It seems to be a matter of certainty that Japan can take wool, hides, skins, tallow and other animal products, and that as time goes 011 she will requir-3 frozen meat and other goods that New Zealand can supply. At present her exports mainly consist of silk, glass, and underwear, but the des-

tiny of Japan is in the direction of manufacturing, and she, in common with other countries, has been reorganising her industrial forces to meet present requirements and future expansion. It must also be borne in mind that the

Japanese are a great maritime nation, and here, again, they can and will fill a gap hitherto occupied by Germany. It will be a distinct advantage to NewZealand to have a service of Japanese merchantmen and passenger ships. As her trade grows so will her shipping increase. We are feeling the pinch of a shipping famine at the present time, so can all the more appreciate the advent 01 Japanese vessels to our shores. Japan is wise in sending forth commissioners to prepare tile way for increased trade and commerce. Each fresh horror committed by the (.ievmans widens the breach which was already almost unbridgeable. Japan is certainly bent 011 making the most of her opportunity, and it would seem that it would be greatly to the advantage of New Zenland and Australia to encourage trade relations with our ally. If Japan ever had the slightest idea of hostile intentions towards Australasia, the events of the present war would have utterly uprooted such thoughts. There has been, however. 110 ground for entertaining any suspicion of such treachery. Japan's loyalty has been well proved, and she thoroughly deserves the most favorable consideration in connoetion with that mutual trade she is endeavoring to establish.